Quantitative evaluation and progress of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19.

PURPOSE: Since many different rates have been reported in the literature and the studies conducted are mostly based on the patient anamnesis, it was aimed to analyze the olfactory dysfunction in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) quantitatively and to reveal its progress by time. METHODS: Patients who described new-onset olfactory dysfunction, who were treated in the COVID-19 departments of our hospital and whose PCR tests demonstrated SARS-CoV-2 presence were included in the study and they were investigated prospectively. Clinical information of all the patients was taken and the levels of olfactory function were detected using the Brief Smell Identification Test (BSIT). Scores equal to or below 8 are considered as olfactory dysfunction. Patients who were followed up for 3 months were reevaluated with the BSIT test at the end of the third month and the progression of the symptom was investigated. RESULTS: The mean BSIT test score of the 42 patients (23 female patients, 19 male patients, mean age: 41.2 ± 14.6) was 5.2 ± 2.2. There was severe olfactory dysfunction in 16.7% of the patients (0-2 points), moderate olfactory dysfunction in 31% (3-5 points), and mild olfactory dysfunction in 52.4% (6-8 points). After a follow-up for 3 months, full recovery was observed in 36 patients (85.7%) and the mean test score rose to 9.9 ± 1.8. Although olfactory dysfunction persisted in 6 patients, an elevation in test scores was noted. Olfactory dysfunction was the first symptom in 17 patients (40%) and the other symptoms occurred after 2 days (1-6) on average. CONCLUSION: We investigated olfactory dysfunction caused by COVID-19 using BSIT, and found a high rate of moderate-mild level symptoms with a high level of recovery in the 3-month follow-up. The finding revealing that olfactory dysfunction was the first symptom in 40% of the patients suggests the importance of inquiry on olfactory functions for the early diagnosis of the disease.

Use of Thermoplastic Splint for the Treatment of Auricular Hematoma.

Auricular hematoma is commonly seen in ear nose and throat clinical practice and mostly caused by blunt trauma as a result of traffic accident, wrestling, boxing etc. If hematoma does not discharge, blood supply of the cartilage fails and this results with the necrosis of the auricular cartilage. Incision and drainage of the hematoma is the cornerstone of the surgical treatment and simple compression methods are limited in terms of their ability to eliminate the empty space. Various techniques have been described for the elimination of the death space such as; dental rolls, cotton bolsters, buttons, silastic sheets, etc but compression materials may be insufficient to apply this pressure because of irregular shape of auricle. Resolving these problems, the authors have used thermoplastic splint as a compressive material at 7 patients for elimination of the death space in auricular hematoma treatment.

The effect of poly-p-dioxanone plate on the protection and vitality of cartilage: An animal study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In septorhinoplasty, septal, auricular, and costal cartilage are often used as autologous graft. Autologous grafts are preferred in nasal reconstruction. The aim of this study was to histopathologically examine the tissue compatibility and the effect on the stability and cartilage vitality of poly-p-dioxanone (PDS) plates. STUDY DESIGN: Ten adult New Zealand rabbits were used. METHODS: Ten New Zealand rabbits were used. Septal and auricular cartilage sections were removed; one of the two cartilage grafts was left plain, and the other was sutured to a PDS plate. Grafts were placed into the back of the rabbits. After 12 weeks, the graft material was examined microscopically. RESULTS: The specimens did not cause any significant foreign body reaction. Within 3 months, a significant degree of color, stability, and stiffness was lost. Microscopically, inflammation, necrosis, and cartilage cell degeneration scores were statistically significantly lower in the grafts using PDS (P < .05), and the vascularization, collagen, and cartilage proliferation scores were found to be statistically significantly higher (P < .05). No statistically significant difference was determined in respect of the bone proliferation scores (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of PDS plates together with cartilage provided mechanical support to the graft. Therefore, changes that disrupt the integrity of the graft, such as inflammation, necrosis, and cartilage cell degeneration, were reduced, and changes that provide greater stability, such as vascularization, collagen, and cartilage proliferation, were increased. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 129:E129-E134, 2019.